Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter from Dr Billy O’Connell published in the June 4 edition of Irish Medical Times, entitled ‘Interview marking system must change’ (see www.imt.ie/opinion/2010/06/interview_marking_system_must.html).
I would like to take this opportunity to update you and your readers on the efforts that have been made to date by the HSE to address this matter — in particular, the difficulties faced by newly qualified GPs to gain entry to GMS schemes.
The current interview selection marking schedule in operation, agreed by the Department of Health and the IMO, gives established GPs a material competitive advantage over newly qualified GPs who at the time of application are not in the GMS scheme.
In 2009, the HSE agreed with the IMO to carry out a review of the marking schedule. In addition, arrangements are under way to introduce a centralised application and interview process for GP posts. Both of these processes are nearing finalisation and it is anticipated they will be implemented by year end.
The changes that will be introduced to the marking schedule will go towards removing any such disadvantage to newly qualified GP candidates.
Brian Murphy,
National Primary Care Services Manager,
Health Services Executive
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